Beowulf Journals 36-40

36.

Lines 1769-1776 ~ So just as I ruled the Ring-Danes’ country for fifty years…Grendel struck after lying in wait.

This parallels Beowulf as king and could also be a foreshadow. It foreshadows that Beowulf will be king and after fifty years, a monster is going to cause mayhem on Beowulf’s country.

37.

Lines 1807-1812 ~ Then that stalwart fighter ordered Hrunting to be brought to Unferth…He was a considerate man.

Beowulf returns Unferth’s sword to him. He knows that he is a far better warrior than Unferth but doesn’t boast about it. He politely thanks Unferth and that is that. He doesn’t need to rub anything in Unferth’s face because that wouldn’t be very sportsman like. Beowulf is actually a good person.

38.

Lines 2076-2080 ~ There deadly violence came down on Handscio…he ate up the entire body.

When Beowulf is telling his account of the Grendel Battle to Hygelac, he tells him that the reason he came back one man short is that Handscio fell victim to Grendel. We know that this isn’t true. Beowulf sacrificed this man so he would know how Grendel attacks.

This is another example of why Beowulf is a good warrior. He knew that it was better to lose one man rather than his whole army.

39.

Lines 2085-2088 ~ He had a roomy pouch, a strange accoutrement, intricately strung and hung at the ready, a rare patchwork of devilish fitted dragon-skins.

FORESHADOW!! This is a foreshadow to Beowulf’s battle with the dragon, which he wins.

40.

Lines 2140-2141 ~ I barely managed to escape with my life; my time had not yet come.

Beowulf believes heavily in fate. He says that even though he barely escaped, he was fated to live through and win the battle.